Caring for the Caregiver 

Last month, we discussed the numerous resources available to parents of children with behavioral health issues. 

We’re continuing this theme of support. This month, we turn our attention to caregiving at the other end of the spectrum of life – caring for the elderly, particularly those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. 

The Alzheimer’s Association offers many resources to families dealing with family members with Alzheimer’s.

Early Stage Care for Your Loved One

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, caregivers are sometimes referred to as care partners, since the person being cared for is still very independent at this point. There may be some confusion as to how much care is too much care. This is further complicated since this stage can last anywhere from a few months to a few years. 

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a comprehensive Home Safety Checklist that allows you to go through every room in your home to ensure the safety of your family member in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. 

It’s important to seek additional help and information even at this early stage to avoid feeling overwhelmed in what can be very confusing times for you and your family member. 

Middle Stage Care for Your Loved One

In the middle stage of Alzheimer’s, the cognitive functions of your family member begins to decline making routine tasks increasingly difficult. This is when caring for your family member becomes more time consuming and intensive. 

Your family member may longer have the ability to perform routine activities such as expressing themselves, bathing, and dressing themselves. 

The Alzheimer’s Association has developed great tips to develop a Daily Care Plan. Routine activities are carefully mapped out in the Daily Care Plan to bring a sense of familiarity to each day for both the family member with Alzheimer’s, as well as the caregiver. 

Late Stage Care for Your Loved One

In the later stages of Alzheimer’s, extensive, and sometimes round-the-clock care is needed for your family member. It may be time to consider the support of a specialized facility beyond what you can offer within the home. Although it will be hard to watch your family member’s health rapidly decline, it’s important to remember that their core self remains. 

There are some primary areas that you need to provide continuous support, or with that of a specialized facility:

• Food and fluids 
• Bathroom functions
• Skin health
• Body health
• Respiratory health 
• Pain management

Caring for the Caregiver

Know that there are many support systems and organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association that can become a source of relief for you as a caregiver. It’s best to not go through this challenging time alone. 

KenCCID: Caregiving for 50 Years

For us here at KenCCID, caregiving is all we do. We’ve been providing quality care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1974. We also believe that the core of the individual remains despite their ability to communicate their needs. 

That’s why we’ve been going over and beyond to ensure that not just the individual receives the highest quality of care, but that their families feel supported as well, knowing that their loved ones can truly feel at home at KenCCID.